I know this video was from several years ago, but just watched this gentleman fly this Beech 18. I’m an old guy now, but back in my 20’s, I worked at an FBO in Houston, Texas, on the Line Crew. I serviced many Beech 18’s, and love the airplane. I even had the opportunity to fly right seat with one of our customers, who had a Beech 18. But, the one thing I really liked most about this video, and watching him fly those aerobatics, was how he took time to say a little prayer before the flight, asking God to Bless him, and keep him safe, during the flight. Then, after the flight, he, again, said a prayer, thanking God for the safe flight. I loved watching him fly, but was impressed with his prayers before and after the flight. Great video.
As a student A&P, it's amazing to see how well-built this plane is and how well it holds up. Just goes to show Beechcraft's amazing quality, and great flying Matt!
This the best maintained Beech 18 in the world! Glenn Hancock:"hold my beer". This guy is as cool as it gets, what skill, well done and love the prayers.
That has got to be one of the best performances I've seen! Awesome pilot skills and what a beautiful bird! I can't believe that after 70 years that old bird still flies as good as it did back in 1943! Amazing!!!
I remember my dad once told me he sent a thank you letter to p&w for keeping him alive after a Japanese bullet had pierced one of his cylinders on his r2800 p&w motor and losing all oil pressure. But the engine somehow kept going and it got him back to the boat safely.
oil tends to settle in the lower cylinders I'm told... a hole in the wrong place could be fatal... or not... it's not as predictable as, say dropping a bomb on someone...
my father came home from WW2 with a mortor round in his shin.. he died at 103... too damned mean to die... that might have something to do with your daddy too... it's actually a good thing I think
LOVED THIS VIDEO ! .. I am Blessed to have about 7k hours in the BE-18 .. so this brought back many great memories.. and any BE-18 jocky will tell you how great a pilot they are flying this twin Beech .. but this guy (and his support team) gets my total respect - good job - fun to watch ... ;)
Great flying and a wonderful example of a Beech 18. As a crew chief on C-130E's, I know you have a great airplane and all the work it takes to keep this in the air. Thanks to you both for keeping a rare and beautiful plane in the air.
Thanks so much for this video. I absolutely love the Beech 18's, especially the Super G. Riding along just brought back all the wonderful memories of those Wasp Jr.s and the fabulous sounds they make! Thanks again, hope to see you at OSH!
Duct Tape @11:29 is used to seal cabin windows to prevent smoke from entering cockpit during performance. Lots of Oil Smoke burned in performance and Matt reapeatedly flies through the smoke. Windows are not air-tight.
Wonderful video, thank you. It brings back memories of the early 1960s when my dad was a charter pilot out of Fresno. He flew a Super 18 and I was lucky enough to occasionally ride right seat with him. Once, returning from Lake Tahoe, he did a tight 360 with the right wing maybe 500 feet above Half Dome in Yosemite Valley. Thrilling is an understatement. The engine sound in your video sounds just as I remember it. Yours is a great video and a beautiful airplane.
What a machine and what a pilot who knows that Beech 18 inside and out,such a spectacular performance in such a lovely aeroplane,and who would have thought for one minute that you could roll one like this master does ? the whole routine is orchestrated for pure showmanship,enjoyed every minute of the ride alongside this maestro of inertia,Bob Hoover must be looking down and giving a big thumbs up !
Saw Matt perform his day and night routines yesterday at the New Garden Air and Car Show in Toughkenamon, PA. His aerial performances made me giddy like a little kid.
John, that is a great movie. I have it on DVD. This is a stunning aircraft and a first rate performance by Mr Younkin. I, like Matt like the older guage set instruments in the cockpit. Those are what I learned to fly with.
Have always loved this video. Love watching you at AirVenture!! If anyone here hasn't seen Matt Fly his beech at Night you should totally check that out!
He makes that look so easy that its hard to believe and on top of that he's a class act.I missed him but his crew chief helped me out with my Maul when I needed a tool.It wasnt a big deal but it saved me a headache for something simple.But I never realized who he was until I found his videos.Hopefully I get to see them again sometime.Any airshow would be lucky to have these guys because they are the type to take the time to be with the fans.
I have seen Matt fly at a few Airshows. Most amazing display I have ever seen. I was scared a few times thinking he was out of control. My heart skipped a few beats at times. Very impressive flying, especially for an old aircraft designed for cargo and passengers.
I flew once in a Beechcraft D18 in 1962 with my father and a friend, private charter flight with 2 pilots, from Ezeiza (B.A.) to Montevideo. Small, yet strong; noisy, yet roomy aircraft. A smooth, unforgettable ride on a starry night.
Ayant été dans le milieu aéronautique pendant plusieurs année : c'est un plaisir pour moi de parcourir ces très belles images de cet album. Merci Beaucoup. Très plaisant. Michel.
Great plane and great show. Saw them in Memphis this year. There aren't too many of these planes left flying. I know of two Beech 18s (C45 and AT-11) that fly mosquito control for the state of Delaware. Every now and then I get the opportunity to fly right seat. Good times!
I was amazed it was great to see what he can do to be able to watch from inside and outside made it even better an exception airman wish him safe flights always .
As a guy who loves aeronautical acrobatics but hasn't the guts to even get a pilot's license, this is one of the best videos I've seen. I like the cuts from cockpit, to wing, to the ground view and back again. Great aircraft too. It looked like a simple seat belt for restraint. Could that be? And I assume by the passenger seats installed that the aircraft is flown from show to show rather than maybe trucked or something.
Mike, Take some lessons and get your license. I was the same way 40 years ago. I started, quit, started quit, was always afraid of looking straight down, stalls, you name it. Finally finished in 86 and have about a 1000 hours. You would be surprised of the guys that had the same problem that are now flying. You'll actually accomplish a double goal. Do it.
I can't see one of these Beech-18s without thinking of Buddy Hackett, Micky Rooney and Jim Backus in the funniest movie scean ever. It's a Mad Mad Mad World.
The first job I had out of A&P school was at Tallman Aviation at Flabob airport in Riverside, California. I worked on that airplane when we were getting it ready to fly through the billboard in the movie. Only thing is, it was a Cessna known as a "Bamboo Bomber" because it was all wood & fabric. It did look like a Beechcraft 18. Remember "Sky King" on TV --- also the Cessna. Some of the people I met at Flabob in 1961 were Frank Tallman, Cliff Winters, Art Scholl, Duane Cole, Mac McRiley, Paul Mantz, and Flavio Madariaga. Airplanes had their way with all or most of these fine people --- may they all continue to exist in the clouds they loved so much. --- John E. Fulton retired from Western/Delta Airlines.
John Fulton Thats a cool 'war story' for sure. I got to work on the Helio Courier featured in the movie Water World. Cutting into the fuselage for the machine gun window.
John Fulton They may have done a practice run or two in the Cessna, but in the final release of the movie the billboard scene is definitely a C-18S Beech. The Cessna has a single tail and an ugly bob-nose; not so in the movie.
that comin around the bend landing is awesome and wow how close to the ground at some points had me pucker up I expected to see Grandpa's overalls hangin on the wing from the clotheslines
What a great performance Matt ! Enjoyed it from start to finish. Nice airplane doesn't hurt but it is the pilot who makes the difference. And you did ! Can also appreciate your prayer before and aft. Chapeau
Gorgeous airplane! I grew up in Wichita, KS where the 18 was built. I used to see them all the time driving past the Beechcraft factory on East Central Avenue! Nice flying!!! Love the color scheme! Very unusual on an 18.
Thanks Matt. The first time I saw this routine your dad was flying the airplane. The most recent time you were flying. I could not tell the difference. You must be very proud and rightfully so. Hope to see you at Sun & Fun 2013.
I pray Matt continued success! I can only think that Bobby's incident highly solidified Matt's belief in the aircraft and humility vs. simply bad accidents and the risk that comes when you put two a/c doing aerobatics in tight airspace. I had never seen this vid before but always thought of B. Hoover from the time I heard Matt was doing these shows. Lets keep these old greasy gals going and show the world what can be done by something built by the best generation of our time!
I think even if something were to happen to Matt, he would die doing something he truly did love. He's a great guy, talented, and very well respected in my eyes.
First time I saw this aircraft fly was at the 2010 OSH WI ..EAA AIRSHOW..as in this clip the pilot did a awesome air show..I just love these Pilots that take aircraft that where not made for stunts, and execute them Perfectly..Two Thumbs Up..
I would love to see the foot dance he does on the rudder pedals too! I see him fly in Oshkosh every year. It's a great show. This vid is a great new perspective.
Thanks great video I saw it at air adventure long time ago with my brother might have been Matt's Dad flying it? But it was the first time they few there and it did a barrel on take off we started to freak cause we were in the flight path so to speak of we thought was a loss of control but was all part of the show. Really cool Matt your dad and Jimmy Franklin were the best and so are you.
Here in Brazil exhisted a flight demonstration team - Onix Jeans - that used to show a Beech 18 - and a reserve that was last some time ago - and two or three AT 6 Texan, that becames a Oi flight team, without the Beech, I've watched a lot of flights of them at my home town..
I have always had an infinity for two twin engine civilian aircraft. This twin Beech is one, the other is Sky Kings first plane, the Cessna T-50 Bamboo Bomber. Both great aircraft.
The best part was the 'oops got a little over-g there, better just reset that now mid-flight before the crew chief sees it' lol. With our fighter pilots it was always 'oh yea I was just sitting below max G and we hit some turb'.....EVRY TIME lol. Couldn't hide from the digital fatigue meter readings buried under some panels behind the cockpit ;)
Wow indeed...this aircraft wasn't meant for aerobatics.....but with exceptional flying skills, what the heck. I'm not sure whom to address this to, but thank you for this. The Expediter was the first aircraft that I flew in as an Air Cadet in my home town in Alberta. Once in awhile I find a video that I want to watch entirely, and find myself thinking, I really wish I was there, yes..... strap my sorry butt into the seat, with belts, duct tape or whatever and lets get the wheels up. Awesome
